Prince Kolade Afeez Oladigbolu, grandson of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Oladigbolu, has called on Nigerians to channel their demands for accountability toward state governors rather than the President, stressing the distinct constitutional roles of each tier of government.

In a statement, Oladigbolu said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown leadership since assuming office, introducing policies and initiatives aimed at positioning Nigeria for sustainable growth and development.

He urged citizens to take advantage of these initiatives by embracing innovation, productivity, and self-reliance, noting that the primary role of the federal government is to create enabling environments and opportunities, not to directly meet every individual need.

The prince also cautioned against the spread of misinformation, warning that false narratives could undermine national progress. He emphasized the need for responsible public discourse and greater accountability in media and civic engagement.

According to him, a significant share of development responsibilities—estimated at about 80 percent—rests with state governments, which are constitutionally empowered and adequately resourced to drive infrastructure, economic growth, and social development.

“Citizens must begin to hold their governors accountable for the development of their states,” he said, adding that blaming the presidency for issues within states diverts attention from evaluating the performance of governors.

Oladigbolu further raised concerns about governance at the subnational level, noting that weak accountability mechanisms have allowed some state executives to operate with limited scrutiny. He referenced structural challenges in Nigeria’s governance system, including the influence of state authorities over traditional institutions since reforms introduced during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He also pointed to concerns about financial management at the state level, citing past public comments by late political figure Lamidi Adedibu on the use of public funds by some governors.

The prince added that members of the National Assembly—both senators and members of the House of Representatives—also have responsibilities for grassroots development through constituency projects. He called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of such funds.

Oladigbolu urged Nigerians, particularly youths, to become more actively involved in governance and accountability processes at state and local levels, stressing that sustainable development depends on holding elected officials accountable.